Roelofs, Berend (17th century)

Berend Roelofs (Rulfs), was called from Sluys (Oudesluis) in De Zijp, Dutch province of North Holland, to the Hamburg-Altona Mennonite congregation in 1650 to serve as pastor. But on 30 November 1659, he resigned his pastorate. He "spoke against baptism, communion, and the office of preaching with contempt, so that great sorrow arose in the congregation and offense outside" (Roosen). With his entire family he united with the Quakers (see Society of Friends), who were propagandizing in Hamburg. When this group was expelled from Hamburg, on 24 June 1660, Roelofs and his family went to Alkmaar, his native town. Here or in Oudesluis an ancestor of Roelofs' had at the turn of the century, influenced by a debate between the Reformed and the Mennonites, left the Reformed Church to unite with the Mennonites, giving up his position as sexton in the Reformed Church, because he considered the Mennonite views more Scriptural, and had become a Mennonite preacher.